Advocating with Passion and Purpose
MAY 2021
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INDY LEGAL AID CELEBRATES 80 YEARS!!
The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society marks a milestone this year as the oldest legal aid organization in Indiana.
Since 1941 Indy Legal Aid has provided immediate, direct civil assistance at no charge to approximately 5,000 low-income individuals each year. In 80 years, approximately 400,000 Hoosiers have been positively impacted by Indy Legal Aid attorneys.
In the 1920’s legal assistance to low-income individuals began being offered on an organized basis in Indianapolis by the Family Welfare Society through its Legal Aid Bureau. In 1937 the Indianapolis Council of Social Agencies proposed to create a separate legal aid society to focus on special cases. Then in 1941, the 1937 proposal came to fruition and the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society was founded by The Indianapolis Foundation, the Law School (Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and the Community Chest (United Way of Central Indiana.)
“At the ripe old age of 80 years, the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is one of the nation’s oldest Legal Aid Societies. It has always been our singular mission to bring hope and stability to the lives of citizens in our community who cannot afford to pay for private legal services," said John C. Trimble, Indy Legal Aid Board President. "The officers and board of Indy Legal Aid are proud of what Indy Legal Aid does for this City and we are committed to assure the ability of Indy Legal Aid to continue serving another 80 years.”
“Indy Legal Aid would not be in existence today without the dedication and expertise of staff and board members over the course of 80 years who have been devoted to helping the most vulnerable in Central Indiana,” said John Floreancig, Indy Legal Aid General Counsel and CEO. “In addition to staff and board, we are extremely grateful to all of our donors – individuals, foundations, law firms, and corporations – that have supported us throughout the years.”
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80 for 80 Campaign Kicks Off in Celebration of Indy Legal Aid's 80th Year |
You may be thinking “What is 80 for 80?”
As 2021 is Indianapolis Legal Aid Society’s 80th anniversary year and we are hoping you will consider donating $80 (or more) to support our work in Central Indiana.
Your anniversary gift will benefit children and their caretakers, the elderly and disabled, and low-income individuals who otherwise would not receive legal assistance. In donating to Indy Legal Aid, your gift will help to promote economic self-sufficiency, preserve dignity, and strengthen our neighborhoods and communities.
Since 1941 Indy Legal Aid has provided immediate, direct civil assistance at no charge to approximately 5,000 low-income individuals each year. In 80 years, that is 400,000 Hoosiers who changed their lives for the better.
Please check out our new agency video - - less than two minutes in length - - at https://www.indylas.org/agency-video that will give you more perspective regarding the issues facing our clients.
Indy Legal Aid is your local, non-federally funded legal aid organization and we hope you will help us continue our much-needed services for another 80 years and beyond.
To donate online to the 80 for 80 Campaign, please visit https://www.indylas.org/support-legal-aid or to send a check, please mail to Indianapolis Legal Aid Society, 615 N. Alabama St, Ste 122, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
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Shop For A Cause at
Clothes With A Cause
Indy Legal Aid has been invited to be the monthly charity at Clothes With A Cause (CWAC) in June which means we will receive all profits from CWAC's June sales.
CWAC is a unique and trendy, fun boutique in Clay Terrace with one purpose - "We exist to help others," said CWAC Founder, Kelli McLaughlin. CWAC offers each customer the opportunity to make an impact in the world with each purchase. With every purchase made at CWAC, all profits from the sale go to help their monthly charity.
CWAC not only has fabulous clothes, but other fantastic items, such as jewelry, body care products, shoes, home decor, children's items, and much more!
You can shop in the store, located at 14405 Clay Terrace Blvd, Ste 110 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday noon to 6:00 p.m. or online at www.clotheswithacause.net.
HAPPY SHOPPING!!
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May Success Story
Gladys is a frail, elderly woman who has lived in the same apartment complex for many years. Gladys’ only income is Social Security, and she struggles to make ends meet. Despite her financial circumstances, she has always paid her rent on time.
Gladys never had any problems with the management or her neighbors. However, late last year the management stated that they had received complaints that too much noise was coming from her apartment. The management never provided documentation of these complaints but gave Gladys a Notice to Vacate and then sued to evict her.
Not knowing where to turn, Gladys called Indy Legal Aid for help. Indy Legal Aid attorney, Emily Browning, spoke with Gladys at length and agreed to represent her. Emily even made a home visit to Gladys as she did not drive and was too frail to come into our office. Emily contacted the attorney representing the apartment complex and began negotiating Gladys’ case. Emily managed to continue the case and ultimately was able to come to an agreement that allowed Gladys to remain in her apartment until the end of her lease.
Even though her eviction was resolved, Emily and Indy Legal Aid did not stop helping Gladys. Emily knew that Gladys did not have family to support her. Her only brother died of COVID-19 and her son lived out-of-state. Emily involved our social worker, Colie DeWaal, who immediately took on the task of researching housing options for Gladys. Ultimately, Gladys found a new place to live and is safe and secure in her new apartment. Indy Legal Aid is committed to providing wrap around services to people like Gladys who need both legal and social services assistance.
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Indy Legal Aid has a number of volunteer opportunities for attorneys, students, and the general public. For attorneys, we have pro bono cases, internships for students, and our spring and fall events, along with
light office work.
For more information, click here.
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We have several ways for you to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable Hoosiers in Central Indiana. Approximately $.87 of every dollar donated to Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is directly used to provide programs and services. For more information, click here.
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615 N Alabama St, Suite 122
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 635 - 9538
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Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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"The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is dedicated to ensuring that qualified low-income persons living in the Central Indiana community have access to quality legal assistance for civil disputes." |
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